Policy purpose and constitutional basis
- The decree advances a program for an Integrated National Police Force consistent with Section 12, Article XV of the Constitution of the Philippines, with the Philippine Constabulary as the nucleus.
- It is designed to test viability and efficacy of the integrated system in attaining an efficient, responsive police service.
- It aims to eliminate causes of irritants and jealousies among independent police and other law-enforcement agencies, including conflicts in political/jurisdictional boundaries, lack of coordination, and duplication of functions.
- It builds on the constitution of city/municipal police and fire departments and jails in the Greater Manila Area into the Metropolitan Police Force under Presidential Decree No. 421 (March 21, 1974).
Integrated police forces: coverage
- The decree integrates existing city/municipal police and fire departments and jails into integrated law enforcement units for specified provinces and named cities/municipalities.
- Bulacan Integrated Police Force covers all municipalities of Bulacan, except Valenzuela.
- Pampanga Integrated Police Force covers all municipalities of Pampanga, including the City of Angeles.
- Nueva Ecija Integrated Police Force covers all municipalities of Nueva Ecija, including the Cities of Cabanatuan, Palayan, and San Jose.
- Laguna Integrated Police Force covers all municipalities of Laguna, including the City of San Pablo.
- Cebu Integrated Police Force covers all municipalities of Cebu, including the Cities of Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Toledo.
- Misamis Oriental Integrated Police Force covers all municipalities of Misamis Oriental, including the Cities of Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog.
Designation and leadership
- The head of each integrated police force (Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Cebu, and Misamis Oriental) is designated by the Chief of Constabulary.
- Designations must be made from among the officers of the Philippine Constabulary.
- The integrated police forces operate under the direction of their respective heads, who are organized into the Philippine Constabulary’s organizational and operational set-up.
Jurisdiction and core law enforcement functions
- Each integrated police force is responsible for public safety and for the enforcement of laws and maintenance of peace and order within:
- the territorial limits of the named provinces, and
- the cities therein.
- Each integrated police force has power to:
- prevent crimes;
- take necessary measures for public safety;
- effect arrest of criminal offenders;
- investigate the commission of all crimes and offenses in its jurisdiction; and
- bring offenders to justice.
Operational control, supervision, and limits
- The Philippine Constabulary exercises operational control, direction, and supervision over each integrated police force.
- The Chief of Constabulary integrates the integrated police forces into the organizational and operational set-up of the Philippine Constabulary.
- Operational control, direction, and supervision are exercised through the Head of each integrated police force.
- Integrated police forces do not form part of the Philippine Constabulary as a military organization and a Major Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; they are civilian components, except when the President directs otherwise in time of emergency.
- Control and direction powers include authority over:
- tactical, strategic movements;
- deployments and placements;
- utilization of the integrated police forces or any components/elements;
- equipment, facilities, and all other resources
- within territorial jurisdiction.
- Control and direction powers include training of members.
- The power of administrative control and supervision remains with offices and officials vested under existing laws until the transfer under Section 7.
Administrative control during transition and transfer
- Until the transfer, administrative control and supervision over the police and fire departments and jails composing each integrated police force remains with the offices, agencies, and officials where such power is vested under existing laws.
- Administrative control and supervision must not be exercised in a way that will adversely affect the integrity, capability, and operational efficiency of the integrated police forces or their components/elements.
- Personnel administration matters that remain with current officials include:
- appointment, promotion, suspension, separation, and other administrative disciplinary actions;
- grant/payment of salary and/or allowances, compensation, leave, and other benefits;
- logistical support; and
- other matters pertaining to personnel administration.
- Appointment, promotion, suspension, separation, and other disciplinary action upon any member of an integrated police force must be effected only upon recommendation of the Head of the integrated police force.
- If there is conflict between administrative control/supervision and operational control/direction/supervision, operational control prevails.
- After one year but not later than two years from the decree’s effectivity, the administrative control and supervision powers are taken over and exercised by the Philippine Constabulary.
- Upon transfer, personnel, records, funds, property, equipment, facilities, and other resources used by or intended for the police and fire departments and jails composing each integrated police force—including firearms, motor vehicles, communications, and criminal laboratory facilities, if any—are transferred to the Philippine Constabulary’s administration and custody.
- Before the transfer, no personnel, records, funds, property, equipment, facilities, and other resources are transferred out of or removed or diverted from the police and fire departments and jails.
Funding, salary protection, and integration support
- After the transfer of administrative control and supervision to the Philippine Constabulary, each city and municipality in Section 1 must allocate at least 18% of its annual gross income as its contribution for maintenance of its integrated police force.
- The National Government must provide subsidies and other types of fund support to ensure:
- a minimum standard salary for members; and
- modernization of public safety equipment/installations in accordance with existing laws and policies or policies later provided.
- Upon promulgation but before the 18% allocation is made, PHP 11,000,000 is authorized to be drawn from the unreleased appropriation of any government agency for fiscal year 1974.
- The PHP 11,000,000 fund is used solely by the Philippine Constabulary to support police integration activities under the decree.
- Any unexpended balance at the end of the fiscal year is available and authorized for expenditure in succeeding years.
- Implementation must ensure that salary of personnel of the integrated police forces is not reduced, except for cause provided by law.
Rules, regulations, and penalties
- The Chief of Constabulary must promulgate necessary rules and regulations for effective implementation, subject to approval of the Secretary of National Defense.
- Any person who directly or indirectly obstructs or interferes with the implementation of the decree or the rules and regulations promulgated by the Chief of Constabulary is punishable upon conviction by:
- imprisonment of not less than 3 years nor more than 6 years, and/or
- a fine of not less than PHP 5,000 nor more than PHP 10,000.
- If the offender is a public officer or employee, the offender is additionally disqualified from holding any public office or employment for life.
Repeals and effect of prior laws
- Republic Act No. 4864, titled “Police Act of 1966,” as amended by:
- Presidential Decree No. 1 (September 22, 1972),
- Presidential Decree No. 12 (September 24, 1972),
- Presidential Decree No. 12-A (October 4, 1972),
- Presidential Decree No. 12-B (October 28, 1972),
- Presidential Decree No. 170 (April 4, 1973), and
- Presidential Decree No. 448 (May 9, 1974)
is repealed or modified in whole or in part as inconsistent with the decree.
- The city charters of the named cities—Angeles, Cabanatuan, Palayan, San Jose, San Pablo, Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Toledo, Cagayan de Oro, and Gingoog—as amended, are repealed or modified accordingly to the extent inconsistent.
- All laws, decrees, orders, instructions, rules, and regulations inconsistent with Presidential Decree No. 482 are repealed or modified accordingly.